Sony 'to take full control of Sony Ericsson'

Sony is reportedly close to reaching a deal to buy out Ericsson in the two firm's long-running Sony Ericsson mobile phone joint venture.

The Japanese electronics giant is understood to want to bring its smartphone business in-house and align it more closely with its gaming and emerging tablet computer operations, according to the Wall Street Journal.

By taking full control of Sony Ericsson, Sony would be able to save on costs and better synchronise development of new mobile devices, sources close to the situation told the paper.

Sony Ericsson, the 50-50 joint venture created in 2001, has struggled in recent years to keep pace with other smartphone manufacturers, particularly with the advent of Apple's iPhone.

However, the business remains the world's sixth-largest cellphone manufacturer and its Xperia Arc and Xperia Ray Android phone recently fared well with the critics.

Sony is understood to have made various attempts to take full control of the firm in recent years, but this latest move is considered most likely to succeed, particularly as Ericsson is keen to focus on its non-commercial operations.